Tags
Calgary, candy, community, growing up, Halloween, re-invent yourself, second chance, start from scratch, Zombie Walk
Happy Halloween!
Although I’m way past dressing up these days, Halloween brings back many fond childhood memories that mostly ended with mountains of chocolate, chips and candy.
I can understand the appeal of Halloween. I mean you can totally re-invent yourself – if only for a day.
You’ve always wanted to be a sexy movie star?
Well dress up as Marilyn Munroe!
Or maybe you wish you’d been a cop.
There’s a costume store out there somewhere with a uniform for you!
Wondering what it’s like to be a rock star?
Well today’s your day – rock on!
On the subject of re-inventing yourself, check out the pictures I took just 18 days ago during our annual Zombie Walk.
Calgary has re-invented itself since that day too. I’m now living in a Winter Wonderland!
~
Although it is true that I’m way past dressing up, I’m still a big fan of re-inventing one’s self.
Every now and then, one gets the chance to re-invent themselves for good. I’m one of those lucky ones.
When I first moved out west, it was a second chance for me – an opportunity to totally re-invent myself.
No one knew me in BC. No one had any preconceived ideas about me.
You see, I didn’t make very good choices as a younger person.
I got caught up in some questionable and even dangerous situations.
I did some things that I’m not very proud of.
~
Still, looking back, I’m not sure that I’d change anything because those experiences are a big part of what’s made me who I am today.
Moving out west gave me a ‘Do Over.’ It gave me a blank slate, a start-from-scratch new life.
Every day I am grateful for that.
And for the people who saw something good in me and believed in me.
Maybe that’s why it’s so important to me to make a difference.
Maybe that’s why I want others to get a second chance, a life make-over, if you will.
I am very fortunate to have had the chance to re-invent myself – given a chance to be authentically me
to reflect on the outside who I truly am on the inside
without the pressure of living up to some image I had created.
Authentically is how I choose to live my life now
with peace in my heart…
a clear conscience…
and a desire to build healthy community…
to facilitate an environment where others get a second chance to discover who they truly are
and gain the respect of their peers, while contributing to society in their corner of the world.
~
I believe in second chances because it made a difference in my life and and in the lives of others.
Have you ever wanted to re-invent yourself?
Are you living authentically and being who you truly are?
talktodiana 
I have reinvented myself several times! Became a Los Angelean. Became someone working in the arts. Became a Midwesterner. Became someone working as a “knowledge worker” (IT person). Became a married guy. Became a divorced guy. Life has so many doors; I’ve been fortunate enough to walk through a number of them.
LikeLike
some hurt a bit though, don’t they…but if it all works out in the end then…
LikeLike
Yeah,… if nothing else, they’re lessons learned!
LikeLike
I guess I’m still on a journey of dicovering. What can I say, I’m a slow learner. haha. So,when I reach a finish line, at some point (or maybe not!), I think I will just take time to enjoy it. Take it all in. Embrace. You know?! Re-inventing might come at some point after that. Anyway, love people who re-invent themselves. It takes courage to make peace with the past, so you can develop and grow as a person. Your posts = me going into thinking box for couple of days (still thinking about your fire post)! ;P Have a great weekend Diana!
LikeLike
I would never think of calling you a slow learner! You are so full of light and wisdom. You are a beautiful soul. I’m not convinced our journey is about reaching the destination as much as it is about the things we learn and do while striving toward the destination. ❤
LikeLike
I agree, life is not about reaching the destination. The process is worth som much more than the destination. If we are attentive enough to remember the process and not chase the destination. I guess, I meant the journey of finding self (during 20s to 30s, which can be funny/confusing/searching journey for many…myself included ;P), rather than journey of life.Thanks for your sweet words.
LikeLike
Oh yeah – I’m almost 50 I forgot about that finding yourself thing when I was in my 20s and 30s!
LikeLike
Wonderful and thought feeled post ♥ Maybe this is why when hubby’s job takes us to a new state….I am always willing to go. There is a lot to be said for starting over and 2nd chances. 🙂 You rock!
LikeLike
I’ve been in the same place 22 years and I have to tell you, I do experience ‘itchy feet’! You rock too!
LikeLike
22 yrs…..that is cool…..
LikeLike
I am glad you got your chance to start over and feel new.
Giving people the scope and chance to reinvent themselves is something we all need to do day to day. people change 🙂
LikeLike
or become comfortable with who they are!
LikeLike
Re-invent me I wouldn’t know how……………………lol It has taken me long enough to become happy with this Jo-Anne let alone starting again……….
LikeLike
From what I’ve seen, you’re a pretty good Joanne!
LikeLike
I can relate to your post. I’ve reinvented myself also. For the better of course. But, it was more forced on me then my choice. Even so, I wouldn’t change it. I’ve come to love myself. Somewhat. 🙂
LikeLike
I think there’s a lot about you to love!
LikeLike
Thank you Diana!
LikeLike
I’ve had to relocate a few of times, mostly career moves – but the first time was to escape the city and to see if I could make sense of my life. It was great starting over and being the new kid on the block. I think if we’re honest all of us are who we are today because of the sum of our experiences – both positive and negative. I wouldn’t want to relive them, but I wouldn’t change them.
LikeLike
I so agree with every word!
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLike
maybe on the do over, you came to terms with who you really are? Maybe people recognized that too.
LikeLike
Yes, exactly! And now I love taking the time to ‘recognize’ gifts in others. 🙂
LikeLike
cool
LikeLike
and you definitely have a few! You are a philosopher of sorts and your posts are encouraging and always make me think. I love how you write in story form, like little parables with hidden treasures and gems to find…
LikeLike
thanks!
LikeLike
Was this you given a “chance”? (Which is an unpredictable happening and therefore by definition out of your control). Or was it a voice inside of you that decided for you to become pro-active and take control of your life.
“Authentically is how I ‘choose’ to live my life now”. I think maybe the latter.
Whichever the case, you are the light allowing the rest of us to see.
Thank you for your blog and for all that you do for me and others.
🙂
LikeLike
I think it started out by me ‘falling into it’ but with people cheering me on and believing in me I began to consciously make decisions about who I wanted to be. Thank you for your kind and encouraging words Elizabeth! I’m humbled.
LikeLike
and lol — that should read…. triple WOW! 🙂
LikeLike
ha! I didn’t catch that! 😉
LikeLike
I would be proud of the mistakes you made — they did create value in the amazing you we get to experience in the world today. And you are a tripe WOW! (woman of wisdom. woman of wicked-awesomeness! woman of wild-abandon!
LikeLike
Lovely and encouraging words! Thank you so much – they mean a lot to me. ❤
LikeLike
I have enjoyed finding myself more now as a writer than as a teacher. Though there’s always a bit of both every present!
LikeLike
Life is an incredible learning journey! Don’t you think?
LikeLike
I really like the way you don’t give over to regret even though, as you so honestly say, you have made mistakes. I find this really heartening because, after all, we have all made mistakes. You have such a shining heart and such goodwill and I love this idea of reinvention and you make it sound simple rather than complicated. Your blog is a beacon – I am grateful to you for you!
LikeLike
Thank you Julie for your kind words! I’m not sure it’s simple though, for me it was due to change of geography!
LikeLike
Wonderful post.. a reinvention… I think I’m too old to do that now.. I’m one that you have to take as you find me… and one thing I know I’m being me…
LikeLike
As Gene Simmons says, “It’s good to be … ME” 🙂
LikeLike
I am busy inventing stuff to do at the moment and the only reinventing of me will happy on Friday when I am back to normal 🙂
LikeLike
what is normal? normal is so relative… 🙂
LikeLike
my normal is of to the left and filled with shoes, polka dots and stripes
LikeLike
I’m glad you got and took that chance 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks!
LikeLike